Mesothelioma is a cancer the affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, and other organs, and is caused by exposure to asbestos. This disease has no cure, though new treatments are being developed constantly.
Mesothelioma sufferers have fought for the implementation of a National Mesothelioma Patient Registry for years. According to recent news, this may finally become a reality.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is funding a study to determine the practicality of a mesothelioma patient registry. The funding originates from Congress’ allocation of $1.2 million dollars for the purpose of mesothelioma research.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is responsible for conducting the $100,000 feasibility study. The study will primarily indicate if implementing a National Mesothelioma Patient Registry is viable. The NIOSH is a federal agency known for conducting research in order to make recommendations on behalf of employee health and safety.
A patient registry is defined as a collection of data focusing on patients that suffer from a similar disease, exposure, or condition. Registries often collect health information from individuals in order to find trends and expand knowledge about a certain condition.
Some of the health information patient registrars will collect include a patient’s demographic, basic health information, or their health history. Despite its simplistic nature, uncovering this data is crucial to learning more about mesothelioma and potentially discovering new treatments.
Patient registries are helpful tools that assist researchers to develop treatment options, gauge a better understanding of a disease, and work toward finding a cure. Clinical study designs may be improved by registries, due to an increased knowledge of patient health trends.
Patient registries also have the potential to help researchers create new hypotheses that may lead to new discoveries about the exposure, disease, or condition. Patients may also have more opportunities to participate in clinical trials.
Other diseases have found promising results after the implementation of a patient registry, including diseases like Gaucher’s disease and muscular dystrophy.
The director of the Respiratory Health Division of NIOSH claims that enacting a mesothelioma patient registry allows patients to find available treatments, services, and clinical trials that may allow for a prolonged survival rate. Ultimately, patient registries have the potential to help save lives.
According to The Mesothelioma Center, approximately 45,000 Americans died from mesothelioma between 1999 and 2015. Although this statistic may be startling, the number continues to grow.
Victims of mesothelioma have fought for the opportunity to develop a patient registry for years. Implementing a National Mesothelioma Patient Registry has the potential to help researchers work toward finding a cure.
Being diagnosed with Mesothelioma can evoke feelings of despair, hopelessness, and fear, but no one needs to suffer alone. Contact a New Jersey mesothelioma lawyer at Brookman, Rosenberg, Brown, & Sandler. Our lawyers show compassion throughout the process, and are willing to fight for the compensation our clients deserve. Contact us online or call 215-569-4000 for a free consultation. With offices located in Philadelphia, we proudly serve clients in Delaware County, Chester County, Philadelphia County, and throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.